"It's finally over," Della breathed a sigh of relief. The Celestials were formidable, beyond anything he could currently match. Without Odin, this battle might have spelled the end for Asgard.
"Della, your combat skill is truly impressive," Odin's voice resonated in his ears. During the battle, Della's abilities had caught Odin's attention. He realized that, besides himself, Della was Asgard's strongest warrior.
Della's precise interventions against the Celestials were timely and crucial. Despite not engaging in external conflicts often, his combat instincts were sharp, and his timing impeccable.
Turning to the God King who had just vanquished the Celestials, Della pondered that Odin's actions might have left a lasting impression on many observers.
"Enough with the compliments. I'm exhausted and can barely stand," Della admitted.
Odin cast a stern glance at Della but remained silent, recognizing his son's fatigue. Even he had felt the strain of channeling such immense divine power. That final effort had drained Della significantly.
Seeing Della's weary yet determined smile, Odin sighed inwardly, recognizing his son's growth into a powerful force within the universe.
Without Della's assistance, Odin might not have found the opportunity to unleash Gungnir's full potential. Even if victorious, the cost would have been severe, requiring a long recovery.
"Let's head back. Your mother is worried," Odin's tone softened. The battle had deeply affected him. A king once consumed by conquest had faced a formidable adversary.
Though he triumphed, the encounter taught him he wasn't invincible, prompting introspection.
"Understood." Odin approached Della, supporting him as they transformed into a rainbow of light, journeying back to Asgard.
"Frigga, I was concerned for you," Odin expressed upon returning to Asgard, acknowledging the Zodiac warriors who stood beside Goddess Frigga, nodding appreciatively to Della.
Odin realized that without the Zodiac's support, Frigga might have sustained irreversible injuries during the battle.
Even so, Frigga and the Zodiac warriors appeared weary, Asgard's barrier nearly shattered by the battle's aftermath.
Yet Frigga was unharmed, only fatigued, thanks to their son. Odin pondered his role as a king, questioning whether he focused too much on conquest rather than protection. Was he truly a fit ruler?
"Alright, the war is over, and Asgard is intact. I'm off to rest," Della said, smiling at Odin and Frigga before retreating to his Star Hall.
"Perhaps you're right," Odin murmured, watching Della leave.
Frigga overheard, her heart swelling with joy at the improved relationship between father and son.
"Your Highness, we shall take our leave," the Zodiac warriors said, bowing to Della and heading to their quarters. The recent battle had left them shaken.
Even with twelve warriors and Frigga blessing the barrier, they had nearly faltered. They realized their strength was insufficient, unable to truly support Della.
"It's finally over. With Hela's situation resolved, a long peace lies ahead," Della mused, gazing at the starry sky from his hall. He anticipated a millennium or two of peaceful growth.
"Weapons should be a priority," he considered, recalling Gungnir's might. Della envisioned crafting his own weapon. His armor, forged long ago and tempered by starlight, rivaled Mjolnir's future strength.
Yet, to significantly boost his combat power, a formidable weapon was essential.
The days that followed were tranquil. Della reached out to his subordinates still exploring the universe, instructing them to seek the universe's strongest metals and inquire about the World Tree's location.
Gungnir, crafted from the World Tree's branches, was a marvel. Paired with Nidavellir's Uru metal, it would forge a powerful artifact for Della.
In the ensuing period, no major events unfolded. The battle had advanced Della's small universe and divine power significantly, nearing the seventh sense.
Tensions between Hela and Odin escalated. The abrupt halt in conquests angered Hela, prompting confrontations with Odin, leaving Asgard tense.
This conflict between queen and king threatened Asgard's stability. Hela's power was well-known, second only to Odin. Aside from Frigga and Della, few could match her.
Della's true strength remained a mystery, known only to his saints.
The trajectory of this life diverged from past battles with the god group. Odin emerged with minimal wear, avoiding serious injury and recovery. Frigga remained whole.
Thus, Asgard retained two figures capable of restraining Hela. Whether Hela would rebel against Odin like before remained unknown.
Hela's might allowed her to challenge the Valkyrie Legion. In Asgard, her power grew exponentially.
Her artifact, the Blade of the Night Sky, bore a resemblance to an infinite sword system from a past-life anime—a formidable group combat ability enhanced by her martial prowess.
Even if Hela opposed Odin, Della wouldn't be surprised. Hela's power and influence were vast. As Asgard's princess, without Della's intervention, she had been left unchecked.
Perhaps Odin's experiences with Hela influenced his strictness with Thor and Loki.
Yet in raising Hela, Thor, and Loki, Odin hadn't been an ideal father.